CAMDEN — Wood crates, and the bags of seaweed that will keep them floating during Saturday's lobster crate race, have arrived on the town landing, the talent show stage has been built in Harbor Park, and the start of the Camden Windjammer Festival is now less than two hours away.

Word from committee member John Viehman is that for the first time in recent years, they appear to have volunteers aplenty. But, if someone wanted a good excuse to hang out around the harbor for three days wearing a "Volunteer" T-shirt, there would certainly be something to help the event staff with during what is always a busy weekend in Camden.

The annual Camden Windjammer Festival is three days of events on and around the harbor, kicking off with the arrival of the fleet and guest boats all afternoon Friday, Aug. 29. Boats big and small, including a bevy of beloved schooners (the star of the show) will make their way into Camden via the outer harbor and wind their way down the western channel, seeking out their pre-planned tie-up spots at the head of the harbor.

The Friday before Labor Day weekend is a big day in Camden, but the Festival continues through until Sunday night, when Harbormaster Steve Pixley is hosting a DJ Dance Party on the public landing, under the big tent.

This year, Pixley is drumming up participants for the annual remote control boat race, dubbed the event "where the little boats get to strut their stuff." For more information about entering an RC sailboat or powerboat into the race Sunday morning, call Pixley at 691-4314 or stop by his office on the waterfront.

For highlights of the weekend's activities, and a complete schedule of events, with links to sign up for any and all of the weekend's competitions, visit our Windjammer Weekend promotion page. The 2014 Camden Windjammer Festival website includes information about the windjammer fleet, day sailers and harbor tour boats that will be around and links to the visiting boats currently on the docket.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.